Financial Aid and Program Charges

Financial Aid

All students are welcome to apply for financial aid, including federal student loans for U.S. students. Most financial aid is first awarded based on financial need. Need is not considered when determining the qualification for admission. For need-based financial assistance, we use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for U.S Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens to determine their need. For international students, we use our own scholarship application to determine financial need.

We offer a package of federal and university financial assistance for U.S. citizens and university scholarship for international students attending onsite in our MBA or undergraduate program. For example, U.S. undergraduate students may be eligible for federal grants, as well as university scholarships and federal student loans. U.S. graduate students are usually eligible for federal student loans.

Most U.S. on-campus undergraduate students also qualify for Federal Work-Study positions to help with the cost of books and supplies. Federal Work-Study allows students to work at a part-time job at the university, usually after classes or on weekends. The average work-study job requires 4-5 hours of work per week. Most U.S. on-campus undergraduate students also qualify for Federal Work-Study positions to help with the cost of books and supplies. Federal Work-Study allows students to work at a part-time job at the university, usually after classes or on weekends. The average work-study job requires 4-5 hours of work per week.

Current Financial Aid Programs

Federal and State Grants
Federal Pell Grant*
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

University Scholarships**
Trustees’ Scholarship
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Internships

Loans
Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
Federal PLUS Loan

Other Forms of Aid
Veterans’ Benefits
Iowa National Guard Educational Benefits
Federal Work Study

Financial Aid Eligibility

Students must be accepted to attend MIU by Admissions and be actively enrolled, receiving academic credit each term toward seeking a degree to be eligible for financial aid. Once a student meets the academic requirements to complete that degree, financial aid eligibility ceases. For questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid by email at finaid@miu.edu or by phone at 1+(641)472-1156.

Program Charges

Program charges are per semester for the Fall and Spring semesters except for the following programs:

• MS in Computer Science, Cooperative Program
• MBA for Professionals in Accounting
• MBA for Professionals in Enterprise Resource Planning and Analytics
• MS in Business Technology and Analytics, Cooperative Program
• Field Training Certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
• Non-Degree Guest Students: one course at a time, $600 per credit
• English as a Second Language

Undergraduate Program Charges

Financial aid is available to those who qualify, including a need-based scholarship for the full-time rate.

Graduate Degree Program Charges

Graduate students are full time with six or more credits and half time with four to 5.75 credits, and ¼ time for fewer than 4 credits. Work or practicum credit is also included, based on credits issued. Doctoral Candidates and Researchers are always full-time, with no reduction or proration for credit load variations.

¹The lowest initial payment is accorded to applicants with professional credentials (ACCA, CPA) and years of professional experience.

²Typical cost and aid for 8 months of full-time academic on-campus study, followed by up to 3 years of full-time, paid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) with companies in the USA.

Additional Cost Information for the Mba for Professionals International Students Program

To be issued an I-20 form, applicants must verify funds for the initial payment ($3,500-$7,500) plus $2,000 for personal expenses, books, and unexpected meals. Additional living expenses may be incurred while seeking a CPT position. Students who pay the total program cost within 6 months of their entry date will receive a $1,000 tuition reduction. Students who choose an elective extension - third year of CPT - will pay an extra $2,000 per semester or $4,000 per year.

Total program cost does not include the cost of instruction in the Transcendental Meditation technique ($190) for those who take this instruction at MIU.

Certificate Program and Single Course Charges

Current charges for the Field Training in Regenerative Organic Agriculture certificate program and the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Integrative Ayurveda for ABOIM Certified Physicians can be found online at miu.edu. Guest Student tuition for single courses is charged at the standard rate of $600.

Other Financial Information

Enrollment Status and Grade Level Progression

Students with federal aid have their enrollment status, academic program, length of the program, and grade level reported monthly to the National Student Loan Data Service. For undergraduates, 32 credits are designated for grade-level progression (33-64 credits is second-year grade level). To maintain full-time status, undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

Master’s degree students are full time with 6 or more credits per semester, half time with 4 to 5.75 credits, and ¼ time for fewer than 4 credits. Work or practicum credit is included, based on credits issued. Doctoral Candidates and Researchers are always full time, with no reduction or proration for credit load variations.

Enrollment That Mixes Courses from Different Programs or Program Tracks

Degree program enrollment applies to only one degree program per term. If a student enrolled in a degree program obtains approval to enroll in courses designated for a different program level the designated degree program for the term always remains the student’s enrolled bachelor’s or PhD program, no matter how many master’s course credits are taken that semester. include courses from a different program level with appropriate approvals in a term, however charges for that term do not change. For example, if a bachelor’s or PhD student adds a master’s level course in a term, the designated degree program for the term always remains the student’s enrolled bachelor’s or PhD program, no matter how many master’s course credits are taken that semester.

Study Abroad and Courses Delivered by Other Institutions Under Contractual Agreement

U.S. students eligible for federal aid will be assisted in obtaining it to attend eligible study abroad programs. Only $500 of university tuition will be charged when the other institution grants academic credit via an approved transcript. University tuition is charged for any other course taken away from Fairfield, including internships, fieldwork, thesis, projects, Maharishi Vedic Science special studies, and other studies, even when the source of coursework is not primarily taught by MIU faculty.

Terms and Intersessions

MBA for Professionals Program
The MBA for Professionals program has two six-month terms: the Fall starts in mid-June and ends in mid-December, and the Spring starts in mid-December and ends in mid-June.

All Other Programs
The two standard semester terms are 18 weeks as defined on the published academic calendar. The January Intersession is attached to the spring semester, and the summer term stands alone.

Summer Term
Credits are designated under the separate summer term for all purposes, including enrollment status, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and all other term-based processes. Tuition is $600 per credit ($750 per credit for the MS in Computer Science). On-campus undergraduate students may receive scholarships (and grants if available) to cover tuition. Housing and meals are $210 per week for on-campus students while enrolled full-time.

January Session
Credits earned for courses starting after the Winter Holiday break are session credits added onto, and part of, the standard spring semester. Tuition, housing, and meals are charged in the same way all credits are charged for spring semester enrollment as a whole.

Non-degree Guest Student Charges

Guest Students are those who have been admitted to MIU to take one or more courses without being admitted to a certificate or degree program. Guest students may take courses, upon application approval, at the rate of $600 per credit, with housing and meals for $210 per week. Financial aid, including scholarships, are not available. A maximum of two courses (8 credits) can be transferred to a degree program. A student who withdraws after the first day of the course will be charged a minimum of 50% of the course fee. After 25% of the duration of the course, there is no refund.

Refund Policies for Guest Students Taking Credit Courses on Campus

A guest student who withdraws after the first day of the course will be charged a minimum of 50% of the course fee. After 25% of the duration of the course, there is no refund. Refunds are given only to those who officially withdraw from a course within three days of the last date of class attendance. The student must file a request for a refund at the time of withdrawal from the course at the Enrollment Center.

Withdrawal Before a Course Begins

To withdraw from the course before it has started, Guest Students should notify the Enrollment Center. The student must file a request for a refund at the time of withdrawal from the course at the Enrollment Center.

Withdrawal After a Course Begins

To withdraw after the first day of a course, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the course instructor and the Enrollment Center within three days of the last day of class attended. The student must give complete information, including the reason for withdrawal and the last date of class attendance. If the student is absent for longer than three days, the instructor may assign a grade of NC.

Housing and Meals

On-campus housing and meals are charged per semester. All students who live on campus receive a bundled package of housing and three meals per day, six days per week, and two meals (brunch and dinner) on Sunday. Students not residing on campus may purchase meals online using the Campus ID/OneCard system. There is a 50% discount for Deluxe Double rooms.

Undergraduate students under 21 years of age are required to live in the residence halls on campus. Exceptions include legally married students, those with dependents, and graduate students. Students with exceptional circumstances, such as living with their parents in Fairfield, may petition the Dean of Students for an exception. Students under age 21 who have lived on campus for one year and have a GPA of 3.0+ may also petition Student Life for an exception.

Summer Term on-campus Housing and Meals

Housing and meals are $210 per week for on-campus students while in class.

Students Moving Off-campus During a Semester

Students who move out of the residence halls after they have registered will not be eligible for a reduction in housing charges for that semester, except when charges must be reduced due to university withdrawal.

Other Estimated Costs of Attendance

These other estimated costs of attendance are generally applicable to full-time students. The estimated cost of attendance includes costs in the following categories:

• Books, Equipment and Supplies
• Personal Expenses and Transportation
• Living Expenses

A student’s estimate cost of attendance can be determined using the Costs & Tuition tool online at miu.edu/tuition.

Other Student Fees

Student Fees
$265 per semester is allocated 36% to technology infrastructure, 33% to the student wellness clinic, 19% to student activities, and 12% to student athletic facilities. Students attending online programs are only required to pay the technology infrastructure portion ($95 per semester). Fees are not prorated for partial enrollment. Fees are not charged when enrollment is less than 6 credits in a semester, and not charged during summer.

Application Fees
Applicants are asked to submit a nonrefundable application processing fee of $20.

International Students Health
Insurance International students are charged an estimated $1,753 per semester for six months of required health insurance unless otherwise insured (proof of other insurance required within two weeks of initial semester registration). Health insurance is not prorated for partial enrollment, except for three-month increments (approximately 50% of the semester rate) as long as no claims have been incurred. Insurance amounts listed on the Financial Aid Award Letter are estimated until the rates are finalized with the insurance provider.

TM-Sidhi® Course Fees
Students may receive four academic credits from MIU for the TM-Sidhi course taught by the Maharishi Foundation in coordination with MIU through a contractual agreement. The cost of the course is $1,200 for Maharishi International University students. There is an additional cost for room and board of TBD for the final two weeks in residence.

Military Deployment

MIU will offer no fewer than the following options to a student who is a member, or the spouse of a member, if the member has a dependent child, of the national guard or reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to national guard duty or federal active duty:

• Withdraw from the student’s entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.
• Make arrangements with the student’s instructors for course grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the student’s registration shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for the courses in full.
• ake arrangements with only some of the student’s instructors for grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the registration for those courses shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for those courses. Any course for which arrangements cannot be made for grades or incompletes shall be considered dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for the course refunded.

Veterans’ Benefits

In accordance with Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, MIU assures it will not impose any penalty, including:

• The assessment of late fees.
• The denial of access to classes.
• The denial of access to libraries or other institutional facilities.
• The requirements that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to MIU due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans eligible for BAH Monthly Benefits
The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. The MIU Veterans Certifying Official is the Co-Director of Financial Aid.

Payments

Semester payment is due by August 1 for the fall semester and by January 1 for the spring semester. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, e-check from domestic accounts, and peer-Transfer from foreign accounts.

Other Points Regarding Charges

Students with a remaining balance due should pay it to the university before leaving. In case students are requested to withdraw from the university because of poor academic standing or disciplinary reasons, reductions in charges are the same as for other withdrawals from the university. An appeals process for review of specific situations is available by filing a Financial Review Board petition form.

Important Notice

In compliance with Iowa Code Annotated Title VII 3 261B, please see www.miu.edu for course titles, descriptions, academic policies, credit earned, and degrees, as well as accreditation information, in combination with the charges and refund policies herein. Maharishi International University reserves the right to change, without prior notice, its charges, and policies. Information in this document is in accord with federal regulations as of March 1, 2024.